How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
In the hours preceding the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US, Pakistan played a pivotal role in fostering cautious optimism. A confidential source from the country shared with the BBC that negotiations were progressing “at a steady rate”, with Pakistan serving as a mediator between the two nations. The talks involved “a small team” and were marked by “a serious yet hopeful tone”, with the final agreement “just hours away”. The source, not part of the inner circle, emphasized the delicate nature of the situation.
Pakistan has long maintained ties with Iran, sharing a border and often describing their relationship as “brotherly”. Meanwhile, its rapport with the US is more complex, yet President Trump has publicly praised Field Marshall Asim Munir, head of Pakistan’s military, as his “favourite” Field Marshall. He has also claimed familiarity with Iran’s stance, stating he knows the country “better than most”. Despite these connections, an agreement remained uncertain.
Political statements and military criticism
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar noted that “until yesterday, optimism about progress was high”, before Israel struck Iran and Iran retaliated against Saudi Arabia. The minister said Pakistan “continued to manage the situation as best as it could”. Field Marshall Munir, however, was more direct. During a discussion with military officials, he declared that the attack on Saudi Arabia “undermines peaceful conflict resolution efforts”, marking a sharp rebuke of Iran. This was the strongest public criticism from Pakistan toward Iran since the crisis began.
Analysts speculated that Munir’s remarks could pressure Iran to reconsider its actions. Pakistan’s defense pact with Saudi Arabia, though not yet activated, has become a point of contention. The country’s Prime Minister, in a midnight post on X, claimed diplomatic efforts were “advancing strongly” and urged Trump to prolong the ceasefire by two weeks. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, echoed this, stating there had been “a move forward from a critical phase”.
Just before 05:00 local time, the Prime Minister announced that a ceasefire had been reached. The agreement, however, remains tentative. “The situation still shows signs of instability,” the Pakistan source told the BBC, adding that “trust between the parties is low, and positions remain rigid”. The question now is whether Pakistan can bridge these divides and achieve a lasting resolution.
